Rabourdin, Caroline ORCID: 0000-0002-9694-0384 , Stenke, Katarina ORCID: 0000-0003-4006-3826 and Jobst, Marko (2024) Convivial spaces: forms and figures of encounter in writing and architecture. In: LCCT 2024: 11th annual London Conference in Critical Thought (LCCT), 28th-29th June 2024, University of Greenwich, London. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This stream aims to explore and re-imagine the possibilities and conditions of convivial spaces, architectural, literary, discursive, or other, that might foster reconnection and collaborative co existence while supporting plurality, mixture and difference. First theorised by Austrian philosopher Ivan Illitch (Tools for Conviviality), ‘conviviality’ has become a productive concept in postcolonial, transcultural, ethnicity and race studies, particularly following sociologist Paul Gilroy’s articulation of ‘convivial culture’ in 2004. As the flourishing of more recent scholarship on conviviality makes clear, it remains a timely term, with traction across a wide variety of disciplines, contexts and forms – thus, a park bench might be ‘convivial’, and so might a codex (Rishbeth & Rogaly, ‘Sitting outside’; Robertson, Nilling: Prose). While Ilitch, Gilroy and many later commentators envisage conviviality in positive terms, for others conviviality’s ‘normative’ impetus not only fosters community but can also entrench marginalisation (Chambers, ‘Performed Conviviality’). Remaining hopeful about the political potential of convivial spaces, the stream proposes to harness the potential of collaborative interdisciplinary practice for generating new forms of conviviality. We aim to explore the spatial configurations of forms and figures of conviviality at the intersection of architecture and literature, with a focus on specific historical and geographical contexts. We welcome interventions which might lead to new forms of convivial practice, extending to sculptural, performative, vocal or habitual practices. We therefore warmly encourage applications from researchers and practitioners from all disciplines, and welcome contributions from creative writers, architects, artists, designers, historians, philosophers and sociologists that may address or respond to the following questions/topics:
• How might one describe or imagine a ‘convivial space’? Or, what are (some possible) characteristics or qualities of convivial spaces, in architecture, spatial literature and/or discourse?
• How might convivial spaces, whether in architecture, discourse or in other socio- cultural formations, be contrived, fostered and/or encouraged?
• Consideration of particular historical or contemporary spaces, in spatial literature, situated writing, architecture or in other modalities, under the rubric of conviviality.
• How are historical practices and narratives of conviviality generated and perpetuated via architectural or discursive figures and/or forms?
• What spatial counter-concepts, addendums or alternatives have been or might be proposed to ‘conviviality’?
• Research on practitioners or theorists whose work articulates and/or instantiates particular forms and/or ideals of convivial space and encounter.
• What political possibilities or difficulties might attend the conceptualisation and production of convivial space?
• Is convivial space politically radical?
• How do cultural, socioeconomic, geographic, experiential and other differences shape the possibilities and experiences of convivial space?
• What dangers might attend the production or experience of convivial space?
• When/how/under what conditions might a space cease to be convivial?

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Other)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	conviviality; architecture; writing; literature; design; critical thinking
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) N Fine Arts > NA Architecture P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences > School of Design (DES)
Related URLs:	http://nordmedianetwork.org/latest/upcom...
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2024 11:45
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/47723

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